Apparatus for capsule filling



March 29, 1966 HARRlS ETAL 3,242,638-

APPARATUS FOR CAPSULE FILLING Filed Dec. 4, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 March29, 1966 s. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR CAPSULE FILLING 9 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed Dec. 4, 1962 March 29, 1966 s, HARRIS ET AL 3,242,638

APPARATUS FOR CAPSULE FILLING Filed Dec. 4, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 M WMhyhm ii 1' W h m T March 29, 1966 5 HARRIS ET AL 3,242,638

APPARATUS FOR CAPSULE FILLING Filed Dec. 4, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 6(Willi/W (ere-4:

March 29, 1966 iii/Z? 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 s E HARRIS ETAL APPARATUS FORCAPSULE FILLING Fllecl Dec. 4, 1962 March 29, 1966 s. E. HARRIS ET ALAPPARATUS FOR CAPSULE FILLING 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 4, 1962 March29, 1966 S. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR CAPSULE FILLING Filed Dec. 4,1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 United States Patent 3,242,638 APPARATUS FORCAPSULE FILLING Sidney Ernest Harris, Wayne, Henry James Mianecki,

Nutley, and William George Rausch, Verona, N.J., as-

signors to Hofimann-La Roche Inc., Nntley, N.J., a

corporation of New Jersey Filed Dec. 4, 1962, Ser. No. 242,120 4 Claims.(Cl. 53-281) This invention relates, in general, to a method and to anapparatus for filling capsules. More particularly, it relates to animproved and substantially mechanized method for filling capsules and tothe apparatus used in accomplishing this.

It is an object of this invention to provide an economical and practicalmethod for filling hard-shell capsules. It is a more particular objectof the invention to provide apparatus suitable for use in carrying outsuch method.

In general, the objects of this invention are accomplished by theprovision of means for feeding empty capsules into a plurality ofopenings in plates designed to receive same, means for separating thecapsule caps from the capsule bodies, means for depositing powder insaid capsule bodies, means for reassembling the capsule caps with thefilled capsule bodies and means for collecting the filled capsules,together with means for conveying a plurality of said platescontinuously through the capsule feeding means and through the powderdepositing means.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts through all views:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the various components comprising thecapsule filling apparatus.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is a detailed perspective view of the driving assembly for thecapsule orientating and inserting mechanism and of the index drive forthe apparatus.

FIGURE 4 is a detailed perspective view of the capsule orientating andinserting mechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a particular portion of the capsuleinserting and orientating mechanism which shows the position of gatesand gate lifters in capsule feeding position.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the same portion of the capsuleinserting and orientating mechanism depicted in FIGURE 5 showing,however, the gates and gate lifters in the no capsule release position.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a detailed perspective view of the driving assembly for thepowder depositing means.

FIGURE 10 is a detailed perspective view of the powder depositing means.

FIGURE 11 is a detailed perspective view of the capsule reassembly andejection mechanism.

FIGURE 12 is a top plan view of the double plate assembly.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view of the double plate assembly.

In the practice of the present invention, a plurality of speciallydesigned capsule carrier double plate assemblies is first provided. Ingeneral, a single double plate assembly consists of an upper plate and alower plate, each of which is substantially rectangular in shape. Theupper plate is designed so that it can be detachably mounted on thelower plate. These plates, that is, both the upper plate and the lowerplate, contain an identical pattern of holes, each hole being of a sizesuitable for receiving a capsule. In carrying out the invention, aplurality of individual double plate assemblies are conveyed, one afteranother, along a platform having positioned thereon a means forinserting capsules in the holes in said plates; capsules are caused tobe inserted, by appropriate means, into the holes in the double plateassembly; the capsule bodies are separated, by appropriate means, fromthe capsule caps while the capsules are positioned in said assembly andwhile the said assembly is being conveyed along said platform; the upperplate, in which the capsule caps are retained, is separated from thelower plate which contains the capsule bodies; the lower plate isconveyed along a second platform beneath an appropriate means forfilling the capsule bodies therein with powder; and, subsequently, thelower plate, which contains the filled capsule bodies, is moved to thereassembly area; the upper plate, which upon detachment from the lowerplate was conveyed by appropriate means directly to the reassembly area,is thereafter remounted on the lower plate; the capsules are thenreassembled within the double plate assembly; and, thereafter, thecapsules, which are now filled and closed tightly, are ejected from thedouble plate assembly and collected.

The apparatus includes also means, suitably positioned on the firstplatform, for instituting the automatic conveyance of the double plateassemblies along said platform. The apparatus includes separate meansalso for automatically initiating the feed of the capsules from thecapsule orientating and inserting means when a double plate assembly isin position to receive capsules.

The apparatus includes also means, suitably positioned on the firstplatform, for stopping the feed of capsules for one cycle as thejunction line of adjacent double plate assemblies is positioned beneaththe capsule feeding means and, additionally, means for reinstituting thefeed of capsules when the holes in the next succeeding double plateassembly are in position to receive capsules. Moreover, the apparatusincludes means, suitably positioned near the end of said first platform,for stopping the feed of the capsules and for stopping the movement ofthe double plate assemblies along said first platform when the first inline double plate assembly reaches and, by contact therewith, activatessaid means. Upon deactivation of said stopping means by removal of saidfirst in line double plate assembly from contact therewith, movement ofthe succeeding double plate assemblies along said first platform isreinstituted, and the feeding of capsules to said double plateassemblies is resumed.

The apparatus includes also means, suitably positioned near the end ofthe said second platform, for stopping the movement of the lower platesalong said second platform, and for stopping the deposit of powder onsaid lower plates, when the first in line lower plate reaches and, bycontact therewith, activates said means. Upon deactivation of saidstopping means, by removal of the first in line lower plate from contacttherewith, movement of the lower plates and powder feed is resumed.

FIGURE 1 shows platform 1 and platform 2 which are connected at one endby transfer bridge 3 and at the other end by bridge 4. Bridge 4 isformed by the platform on which a hereinafter described reassembly andejection mechanism is positioned. Located on a shelf below platform 1 isthe drive for capsule orientating and inserting mechanism 5. Located ona shelf below platform 2 is the drive for powder depositing means 119.Index mechanisms, one of which propels the carrier double plateassemblies intermittently along the surface of platform 1 and the otherof which propels lower capsule carrier plates 8 intermittently along thesurface of platform 2, between suitable guide rails, are attached to theunderside of platforms 1 and 2, respectively. Attached also to theunderside of platform 1, beneath orientating and inserting mechanism 5,is vacuum manifold 6 and seal. Capsule orientating and insertingmechanism and powder depositing means 119 are mounted on platforms 1 and2, respectively.

FIGURE 2 shows, in a perspective view, capsule orientating and insertingmechanism 5 mounted on platform 1 and powder depositing means 119mounted on platform 2. Additionally, it shows upper plate returnconveyor 71 mounted above and between platforms 1 and 2. Bridge 4 whichis formed by the reassembly and ejection mechanism is also shown inFIGURE 2.

The capsule carrier plates which are used in the practice of thisinvention are constructed out of a suitable metal. They can, forexample, be made of a magnesiumaluminum alloy. The double plate assemblyconsists of upper plate 7 with counterbored holes (see FIGURE 12)positioned on top of lower plate 8 (see FIGURE 13). Each plate containsthe same number, and an identical pattern and alignment, of holes. Theplates used in the preferred embodiment of the invention have boredtherein 780 holes, arranged as 26 rows containing 30 holes each. \Vhenplate 7 is mounted on lower plate 8, the holes which are bored thereinare in precise alignment with the holes in plate 8. Proper alignment ofthe holes in the upper and lower plates is assured by positioning oflocating pins 10 which project from upper plate 7 into openings bored inplate 8 for the reception thereof. The dimensions and the shape of thecapsule-receiving holes in plate 7 are such that, when the capsulebodies are caused to separate from the capsule caps in the mannerhereinafter indicated, the cap of the capsule is retained in thecounterbore. The capsule-receiving holes in plate 8 are of suchdimension and shape that, when the capsule bodies are caused to Separatefrom the capsule caps in the manner hereinafter indicated, the capsulebodies are retained therein. On the bottom surface of each lower plate 8is rack 130 which engages rotatable plate gear 24 (FIGURE 3) of theindexing system. Rotation of plate gear 24 while engaged with rack 130drives the double plate assembly forward.

In carrying out the invention, upper plate 7 is mounted on top of lowerplate 8 to provide the double plate assembly. This double plate assemblyis placed on platform 1 and by engagement of rack 130 with plate gear 24it is intermittently conveyed along platform 1 beneath the capsuleslides of capsule orientating and inserting mechanism 5. Referring nowparticularly to FIGURE 3, gear head motor 11, with an output shaft speedof for example about 116 r.p.m., drives directly clutch-brakecombination 12 mounted on shaft 13 and, through sheaves 14 and 15 andbelt 16, countershaft 17 at about 80 rpm. Fastened to countershaft 17 iscam 18 which, through crank 19, produces intermittent forward motion ofthe capsule plates.

Again referring to FIGURE 3, in the index drive, a series of identicalgear and ratchet mechanisms move the capsule plates. Side plates 21 and21 are attached to mounting plate 22 by means of angle bracket 23. Plategears 24, which engage rack 130 of lower plate 8, and driving gears 9are mounted between side plates and 21 on small shafts and 26. Plategear 24 rotates freely on shaft 25 and is driven by driving gear 9 whichis keyed to shaft 26. Also keyed to shaft 26 is ratchet 27. Thedimensions of ratchet 27 are such that each tooth causes the gears tomove so as to drive the capsule plate forward exactly the distancebetween two succeeding rows ofholes in the capsule plates. Ratchet 27 isdriven by ratchet drive shaft 28 through driving pawls 29. Ratchet driveshaft 28 in turn is driven by driving crank 19 operated by indexing cam18. The lift of cam 18 is arranged to move ratchet drive shaft 28forward through /2 inch and it is installed so that, at its farthestpoint of forward motion, it positions the holes in the capsule plates inplace below the capsule slides 45 of capsule orientating and insertingmechanism 5. Spring 30 returns the ratchet drive shaft 28 and pawls 29into position for the next cycle. Back lash is prevented by latchingpawls 31.

One such indexing apparatus is attached to the frame of platform 1 inproper relationship to the driving assembly and to the capsule insertingmechanism. Another such indexing system is attached to the frame ofplatform 2 in proper relation to the capsule filling mechanism and tothe driving assembly therefor.

Referring once again to FIGURE 3, which depicts the means employed tofeed empty capsules int the double plate assembly, attached tocountershaft 17 is eccentric 32 which, through connecting rod 48 andlever arm 127, operates sector gears 38 of capsule orientating andinserting mechanism 5. Orientating and inserting mechanism 5 is designedto arrange the capsules so that their bodies are pointing downward andto release the orienfated capsules in such a manner that, row by row,one capsule falls into each of the holes in the double plate assembly.Orientating and inserting mechanism 5 consists of magazine 33 whichserves to pick up capsules at random from hopper 34 (see FIGURE 2) andto transfer them to the orientating and inserting area. Referring now toFIGURE 4, magazine 33 (see FIGURE 3) is fastened to vertical guide plate35 which moves between vertical plate guides 36 attached to side bracket37. Reciprocal vertical motion of the magazine is accomplished throughsector gear 38 and magazine rack 39. Capsules are retained in the lowerportion of magazine 33 by gate 40 until released by the automaticoperation of gate lifter 41. This operation will be described in moredetail hereinafter. Operation of gate lifter 41 occurs when magazine '33reaches the lowest point in its travel. Spacing of magazine 33 abovecapsule raceway 128 is such that only one capsule can be released fromeach tube of the magazine at each cycle. After release of the capsulesonto raceway 128, the capsules are moved forward by push blade 42attached to push-plate 43. Forward motion of push-plate 43 is caused byaction of sector gear 38, operating on push-plate rack 44. The capsulesare pushed forward on raceway 128 until they reach a positionimmediately above capsule slide 45. Raceway 128 is differentiallymachined so that when rectifier block 46 descends, all of the capsulesare caused to be orientated with their bodies pointing down. The descentof rectifier block 46 forces the orientated capsules through the slotsof the raceway 128 into the capsule slide 45. From capsule slide 45, thecapsules fall into the holes of the double plate assembly.

The entry of the capsules into the double plate assembly is assisted,\and separation of capsule caps from the capsule bodies is accomplishedby applying a moderate vacuum frorn beneath the holes in the carrierplate assembly through manifold 6 (FIGURE 1). The vacuurn is created bya suitable vacuum pump and it is transmitted from the pump to themanifold by means of a hose. At the junction of adjacent sets of carrierplate assemblies, no holes are present to receive capsules. Normallyopen mioroswitch 113 (see FIGURE 1), which is held closed by contactwith the edge of upper plate 7, opens when it engages with indentation131 (see FIGURE 12) suitably positioned on the edge of plate 7.Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, piston 134, operating through air cylinder49 moves gate lifters 41 sideways a sufficient distance to align theoutwardly projecting portions of gate lifters 4'1 with gates 40. Suchalignment, which occurs when rnicroswitch 113 is held in closed positionby plate'7, permits capsules to be released into the double plateassembly. Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8, as the junction line ofadjacent carrier plate assemblies passes under the orientating andinserting mechanism, switch 113 is opened and piston 135 operatingthrough air cylinder 50 which, in turn, operates through a three waysolenoid valve moves gate lifters 41 sideways a sufficient distance toalign the notches in gate lifters 41 with gates 40. When so aligned,gates 40 will not open and, hence, no capsules will be released intoraceway 128. The electrical control circuit is arranged so that anyinterruption of the indexing control circuit moves the gate lifter tothe no delivery position.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, the powder depositing apparatus consists of aseries of augers 54, preferably six in number, mounted on shaft 55 inblock 56. Angers 54 are spaced so as to supply a quantity of powder toan area suificient to cover the pattern of holes in the capsule carrierplate 8. A set of relief holes 57 serves to recirculate excess powderwhich may be forced down by augers 54 upon plate 8. The seal between thebottom of block 56 and capsule plate 8 is provided by accurately groundsteel plate 58 which is fastened to the block 56. Referring now toFIGURE 10, augers 54 are driven by suit-able gears 131 and 132 withmotive power to gear shaft 133 being obtained from countershaft 59through sheave 60, belt 61 and sheave 62 as shown in FIGURE 9. Asuitable hopper 63 (see FIGURE 2) is mounted on top of the capsulefilling mechanism. Augers 54 are driven by the indexing motor and,hence, operation of the augers stops whenever indexing of plates ceases.The plate which is receiving powder is pushed forward by forwardmovement of the plate which follows.

On the powder depositing side of the apparatus, drive is provided in thefollowing manner. Referring again to FIGURE 9, gear head motor 64 drivesshaft 65 through clutch 66 at about 87 /2 r.p.-rn. Fastened to shaft 65is indexing cam 67 which, through an index drive, operates in the samemanner as the index drive on the capsule inserting side and which hasbeen previously described, to produce an intermittent forward motion ofthe lower capsule plates 8. Also attached to shaft 65 is sprocket 68which, through chain 69 and sprocket 70, drives countershaft 59.countershaft 59 drives gears 131 and 132 (see FIGURE through gear shaft133, sheave 60, belt 61 and sheave 62. Gears 131 and 132, in turn, driveangers 54 to deposit powder on the lower plates as they are conveyedalong platform 2.

Indexing cam 67 operates at a constant rate. The plates are, therefore,moved through the apparatus intermittently but at a constant rate whichis predetermined by the output shaft speed of motor 11. The speed of thecapsule filler, relative to the rate of indexing of the plates, however,may be varied to accommodate powders of difierent densities and capsulesof different sizes by changing the ratio of sprockets 68 and 70. Asystem of electrical controls stops the index drive and powder supplywhen no plates are properly positioned to receive powder or when theentire platform is filled with plates. These electrical controls will bemore fully described hereinafter.

Referring now once again to FIGURE 1 and upper plate return conveyor 71shown therein, this consists of a series of rollers 74 attached toparallel bars 72 and 73, suitably spaced to receive and to carry upperplates 7. Conveyor 71 is mounted parallel to, and above the space whichseparates, platforms 1 and 2. The conveyor originates in close proximityto bridge 3 and it terminates near bridge 4 formed by the reassembly andejection mechanism. The conveyor is inclined on a slightly downwardangle from bridge 3 to bridge 4 to facilitate the passage of upperplates 7 from bridge 3 to the reassembly area. The conveyor ispositioned at such a height and such a distance from bridge 3, that anoperator positioned at bridge 3 can easily place the upper platesthereon. Moreover, the conveyor is positioned at such a height and sucha distance from bridge 4 that an operator positioned at the reassemblyand ejection mechanism can easily remove the upper plates therefrom. Athin sheet of Lucite, stainless steel, etc. can be fastened, if desired,beneath the whole length of return conveyor 71 to prevent updrafts ofair from blowing the lightweight capsule caps out of the holes in theplates. As indicated heretofore, conveyor 71 serves as the means bywhich the capsule caps-containing upper plate, after detachment from thecapsule bodiescon tai-ning lower plate, is transported from bridge 3 tothe reassembly and ejection area at bridge 4.

The capsules are reassembled and ejected from the plates by a mechanismconsisting of a pinpl-ate assembly and a hold-down and ejectionassembly. Referring now to FIGURE 11, pinplate assembly consists ofplate 75 bearing reassembly pins 76 which are mounted in a patterncorresponding exactly to the pattern of (holes in the capsule carrierplates 7 and 8. Plate 75 is mounted on parallel shafts 77 guided by ballbushings mounted in a spacer plate 78 attached to side bracket 79fastened beneath bridge 4. Plate 75 is mounted so that, in its lowestposition, the tips of the pins protrude into the holes bored in thesurface of bridge 4. Lever 80, acting through gears 81 and '82 andlifting cam- 83 mounted on shafts 84 and 85, serves to raise the pins.An upward thrust of piston 136 of air cylinder 86, which cylinder ismounted on spacer plate 78 and is activated by air valve and foot switch87 (FIGURE 2), serves, in a manner described hereinafter, to tightlyreassemble the capsules.

Referring again to FIGURE 11, the hold down and ejection assemblyconsists of a metal plate 89, preferably, but not necessarily, analuminum plate, which moves horizontally in guide frame 90. Guide frame90 is fastened to parallel shafts 91 which move vertically in guideframe shaft sleeves 92 responding to action of handle 93 and cam 94fastened to cross shaft 129. Shaft 129 is supported by bearing brackets97.

The reassembly and ejection mechanism operates in the following manner.When lower plate 8 reaches limit switch 98 (FIGURE 1) on platform 2, itis drawn manually to the reassembly area on bridge 4. Upper plate 7,which was separated manually from lower plate 8 at bridge 3 is removedmanually from upper plate return conveyor 71, positioned properly on topof lower plate 8 by means of locating pins 10 (see FIGURE 13) and thedouble plate assembly is pushed into position above reassembly pins 76.Referring to FIGURE 11, exact positioning of the double plate assemblyabove reassembly pins 76 is assisted by guide frame shaft sleeve 92 andbacking bar 137. Holddown plate 89 is then drawn forward in guide frame90 to a position above the double plate assembly and, by handle 93 andcam 94, it is lowered firmly into contact with the upper plate 7. Leveris then depressed to raise plate 75 until pins 76 reassemble thecapsules Within the plate. Momentary operation of air cylinder 86 byclosing foot switch 87 causes an upward thrust of piston 136 againstplate '75. This serves to reassemble the capsules tightly by forcingthem into contact with holddown plate 89. Opening of foot switch 87causes piston 136 to separate from plate 75, downward movement of piston136 being brought about by a spring contained within the cylinder.Handle 93 is released to raise holddown plate 89. This same movementcauses scrape off fence 138 to descend and enclose the surface of thecapsule plate. Additional downward pressure on lever 88 raises pin plate75 to its highest position and forces the reassembled capsules out ofthe holes. With lever 89 still fully depressed, holddown plate 89 ispushed horizontally backwards in guide frame 98 causing scrape off fence138 to push the capsules into a discharging chute 101 leading tocontainer 102 (see FIGURES 1 and 2) placed beside the machine. Pins 76are then withdrawn by raising lever 88.

In carrying out this invention, it is preferable to provide a motor foreach side of the system. Although it is possible to use a single motorwith a long cross shaft, the use of two separate motors is preferablesince this enables either side to continue to operate even though theother stops. It is convenient, although not essential, to use compactgear head motors to deliver an output shaft speed of about 85 rpm. Inthe alternative, one may use a conventional 1750 rpm. motor and obtainthe requisite operating speed by auxiliary belts, chains or gears. Themotor starters are located in a control cabinet and they are activatedby magnetic switches located in a suitable console mounted on bridge 3.The motors run continuously. Starting and stopping of the various partsof the machine is accomplished by an electrical clutch-brake system forthe capsule inserting side and a plain electrical clutch, without brake,for the powder filling side.

In the preferred indexing system, combination clutch and brake 12engages the clutch or the brake, depending upon which of the contacts ofa suitably positioned relay are open or closed. The coil of such relayis energized by a source of 12 volt A.C. through manual switch 104 onconsole panel 105. In the circuit are microswitch 106, wired normallyopen, located in such position that lower capsule carrier plate 8,engaged with plate gear 24, holds it closed. Indexing of the platesceases when no plate is in position to hold microswitch 106 closed.Manual switch 108, which is normally turned to closed during operations,is mounted on the side bracket of orientating and inserting mechanism topermit disabling the circuit temporarily for adjustment. Microswitch109, is wired normally closed and it is located near the end of platform1 near transfer bridge 3. Any plate which is not moved manually ontotransfer bridge 3 opens switch 109 and stops the operation of capsuleorientating and inserting mechanism 5. Operation resumes when switch 109is closed by removal of such plate from contact therewith, for example,when the plate is moved onto transfer bridge 3. Normally closedmicroswitch 110, wired in parallel with switches 106 and 109, is mountednear eccentric 32 (FIGURE 3) which drives capsule orientating andinserting mechanism 5. Switch 110 is opened by earn 111 attached toeccentric 32. When magazine 33 is at the highest point of its excursion,switches 106, 108 and 109 are all closed; and, hence, the opening ofswitch 110 will have no effect. However, if any one of those switchesare open, the current which controls the clutch-brake combination 12will continue through the parallel circuit of switch 110 untilinterrupted when cam 111 opens switch 110. By this means, capsuleorientating and inserting mechanism 5 will always stop when the magazine33 is at the highest point of its travel. This facilitates the clearingof any blockage that may occur in the magazine tubes due to defective orbroken capsules. Also in parallel with part of this circuit is a relay,controlled by manual switch 112 on the side bracket of capsuleorientating and inserting mechanism 5, and microswitch 113. Microswitch113 is normally open and is closed by the edge of upper capsule carrierplate 7 passing under capsule orientating and inserting mecha nism 5.While closed, the circuit opens a solenoid valve to activate aircylinder 49 which, by means of piston 134, holds gate lifter 41 inposition to release capsules (see FIGURES 5 and 6). As indicatedheretofore, indentation 131 in upper capsule carrier plate 7 allowsswitch 113 to open for one cycle when no capsules are required. Througha relay, a solenoid valve, air cylinder 50 and piston 135, the openingof switch 113 causes gate lifter 41 to move so that no capsule will bereleased during that cycle. Additionally, this portion of the circuit isso wired that no current is received when any of the switches 106, 107,108 and 109 are open, so that gate lifter 41 moves to the no capsuleposition (see FIGURES 7 and 8) whenever the operation of the index driveis interrupted.

The index drive on the capsule filling side operates in the followingmanner. Clutch 66 (FIGURE 9) engages through the action of a relay andswitches 117 and 98. Switch 117 is normally open and it is held closedby capsule carrier plate 8 passing over index drive plate gear 24.Switch 98 is normally closed. It opens, however, and, hence, stops theoperation when a plate, which reaches the end of platform 2, is notremoved therefrom.

The reassembly system operates through switch on control console 105 andfoot switch 87; A 12 volt A.C. is supplied to a solenoid valve tocontrol compressed air to air cylinder 86 which closes the capsulesduring the reassembly operation.

Control console 105 contains index drive switch 104, motor switch 122,each for the capsule orientating and inserting side of the system, indexdrive switch 123 and motor switch 124, each for the powder filling sideof the system, and reassembly switch 120. Additionally, control console105 may contain manual switch 125. Through manual switch 125 andmicro-switch 126, a pulse of 12 volt A.C. can be fed to a batch counterto record the passage of a capsule plate by switch 126. The batchcounter may conveniently be mounted on console 105.

Basically, the present capsule filling system operates in the followingmanner. Carrier plate 7 is positioned on top of carrier plate 8 toprovide the double carrier plate assembly. A plurality of such doubleplate assemblies are placed, one after another on, and conveyed along,platform 1 and passed beneath orientating and inserting mechanism 5.Unless otherwise halted, indexing of the plates along platform 1 willcontinue so long as there is a plate in contact with switch 106.Capsules from hopper 34 are picked up at random by magazine 33 andtransferred to raceway 128 and capsule slides 45. From capsule slides45, one capsule is dropped into each of the holes in the double plateassembly, one row at a time. Vacuum, applied beneath the holes in thedouble plate assembly through manifold 6, facilitates entry of thecapsules into the holes of the double plate assembly and causes thecapsule bodies to separate from the capsule caps. When the first in linedouble plate assembly approaches the end of platform 1, it is movedmanually to transfer bridge 3. If such assembly is not removed fromplatform 1 by the time it reaches switch 109, indexing of the plates andfeeding of the capsules ceases. On bridge 3, carrier plate 7 isseparated from carrier plate 8. Plate 8, containing the capsule bodies,is placed on, and conveyed along, platform 2 beneath the mechanism whichdeposits powder thereon. Plate 7, containing the capsule caps, is placedupon upper plate return conveyor 71 and allowed to be moved, by gravity,toward bridge 4 formed by the reassembly and ejector mechanism. Fromhopper 63, by means of augers 54, powder is released onto plate 8 insuch a manner as to fill the capsule bodies carried therein. When plate8 approaches the end of platform 2, it is moved manually into place inthe reassembly and ejector mechanism. If plate 8 is not removed fromplatform 2 by the time it reaches switch 98, indexing of the plates, andfeeding of the powder ceases. Plate 7, containing the capsule caps, isrepositioned on top of plate 8 and, by the action of the reassembly andejector mechanism, the capsules are reassembled in, and, subsequently,ejected from the double plate assembly and transferred, by gravity,through discharge chute 101 to container 102.

The present invention is of significant importance for several reasons.Basically, the invention is of prime importance since it provides anapparatus and a method for filling capsules which is largely mechanized.Its use, therefore, brings about substantial economies. Moreover, due toits compactness, the apparatus can be utilized in establishments whereavailable floor space is at a mini mum. Furthermore, by minor changes incertain of its component parts, the system can easily be adapted toaccommodate capsules of different sizes and/ or powders of differentdensities. Additionally, while the apparatus is primarily useful as ameans for inserting powders into capsules, it can be used also toincorporate granules and tablets therein. Modifications necessary toeffectuate such embodiments of the invention will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for filling capsules comprising a double plate assembly,said assembly consisting of two substantially rectangular shaped plates,one of which is detachably mounted on top of the other, each of theplates in said double plate assembly having an identical pattern ofholes therein for the reception of capsules, said plates having means toinsure that, when the upper plate is positioned on top of the lowerplate, the holes in one plate are aligned with the holes in the other,means, suitably positioned on a platform therefor, for insertingcapsules, row by row, into the holes in said double plate assembly,rotatable plate gears suitably positioned on, and protruding through thesurface of, said platform which engage with a rack set into the bottomsurface of said lower plates, and means for driving said plate gears soas to produce intermittent forward motion of a plurality of double plateassemblies along said platform and through said capsule inserting means,a vacuum means for separating the capsule bodies from the capsule capsas each double plate assembly is moved along said platform whereby thesaid capsule bodies are retained in said lower plate and said capsulecaps are retained in said upper plate, means, suitably positioned on aplatform therefor, for depositing powder onto a detached lower plate tofill the capsule bodies positioned therein, rotatable plate gearssuitably positioned on, and protruding through the surface of, saidsecond platform which engage with a rack set into the bottom surface ofsaid lower plates, and means for driving said plate gears so as toproduce intermittent forward motion of a plurality of lower plates alongsaid platform and through said powder depositing means, means forreassembling said capsules in said double plate assembly while thecapsule caps are positioned in the upper plate and the capsule bodiesare positioned in the lower plate, said means comprising a moveableplate, bearing pins in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of holesin the double plate assembly, a hold-down plate for positioning on theupper surface of the upper plate of the double plate assembly and meansfor raising said moveable plate to close said capsules by forcing sarneagainst the hold down plate and means for ejecting the closed capsulesfrom the double plate assembly.

2. An apparatus for filling capsules comprising a dou ble plateassembly, said assembly consisting of two rectangular shaped plates, oneof which is detachably mounted on top of the other, each of the platesin said double plate assembly having an identical pattern of holestherein for the reception of capsules, said plates having means toinsure that, when the upper plate is positioned on top of the lowerplate, the holes in one plate are aligned with the holes in the other,means, suitably positioned on a platform therefor, for insertingcapsules, row by row, into the holes in said double plate assembly,means, suitably positioned on said platform, to provide a vacuum frombeneath the surface of said platform to separate the capsule bodies fromthe capsule caps whereby the capsule bodies are retained in the lowerplate and the capsule caps are retained in the upper plate, rotatableplate gears, suitably positioned on said platform, which engage with arack set into the bottom surface of said lower plates, and means fordriving said plate gears to produce intermittent forward motion of aplurality of double plate assemblies along said platform, through saidcapsule inserting means and over said vacuum means, means, suitablypositioned on said platform, for stopping the feed of capsules from thecapsule inserting means for one cycle when the junction line of adjacentdouble plate assemblies is positioned beneath the capsule insertingmeans, means for reinstituting capsule feed when the holes in the nextsucceeding double plate assembly are in position to receive capsules,means, suitably positioned on a platform therefor, for depositing powderonto a detached lower plate to fill the capsule bodies positionedtherein, rotatable plate gears, suitably positioned on said platform,which engage with a rack set into the surface of each lower plate toproduce intermittent forward motion of a plurality of lower plates alongsaid platform and through said powder depositing means, and means fordriving said plate gears, means for reassembling said capsules whilepositioned in, and for ejecting said closed capsule-s from, said doubleplate assembly, said reassembling means comprising a moveable platebearing pins in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of holes in thedouble plate assembly, a holddown plate for positioning in contact withthe upper surface of the upper plate of the double plate assembly, meansfor raising said move able pin-bearing plate to close said capsules byforcing same against the holddown plate and means for ejecting theclosed capsules from the double plate assembly.

3, An apparatus for filling capsules comprising a double plate assembly,said assembly consisting of two substantially rectangular shaped plates,one of which is detachably mounted on top of the other, each of theplates in said double plate assembly having an identical pattern ofholes therein for the reception of capsules, said plates having means toinsure that, when the upper plate is positioned on top of the lowerplate, the holes in one plate are aligned with the holes in the other,means, suitably positioned on a platform therefor, for insertingcapsules, row by row, into the holes in said double plate assembly andmeans for driving said capsule inserting mechanism, means suitablypositioned on said platform to provide a vacuum from beneath the surfaceof said platform to pull the capsule bodies downwardly to disengage samefrom the capsule caps whereby the capsule bodies are retained in thelower plate and the capsule caps are retained in the upper plate,rotatable plate gears, suitably positioned on said platform, whichengages a rack set into the bottom surface of each lower plate and meansfor driving said plate gears to produce intermittent forward motion of aplurality of double plate assemblies along said platform through saidcapsule inserting means and over said vacuum means, means, suitablypositioned on said platform for stopping the feed of capsules from thecapsule inserting means for one cycle when the junction line of adjacentdouble plate assemblies is positioned beneath the capsule insertingmeans, means for reinstituting capsule feed when the first row of holesin the next succeeding double plate assembly are in position to receivecapsules, means suitably positioned near the end of said platform, forboth stopping the movement of said double plate assemblies along saidplatform and stopping the feed of capsules when the first in line doubleplate assembly reaches and, by contact therewith, activates such means,means for reinstituting the feed of capsules when the first in linedouble plate assembly is removed from said platform, means, suitablypositioned on a platform therefor, for depositing powder on a detachedlower plate to fill the capsule bodies positioned therein and means fordriving said powder depositing mechanism, rotatable plate gears suitablypositioned on said platform which engage with a rack set into the bottomsurface of each lower plate and means for driving said plate gears toproduce intermittent forward motion of a plurality of lower plates alongsaid platform and through said powder depositing means, means, suitablypositioned near the end of said platform, for both stopping the movementof said lower plates along said platform when the plate first in linereaches and, by contact therewith, activates such means, and stoppingthe feed of powder when plate movement ceases, means for reinstitutingboth the feed of powder to said plates and the movement of said platesalong said platform when the plate first in line is removed from contactwhich said stopping means, means for reassembling said capsules Whilepositioned in, and for ejecting said closed capsules from, said doubleplate assembly, said reassembling and ejecting means comprising amoveable plate, bearing pins in a pattern corresponding to the patternof holes in the double plate assembly, a hold down plate for positioningon the upper surface of the upper plate of the double plate assembly,means for raising said moveable pin-bearing plate to close said capsulesby forcing same against the holddown plate, means for removing theholddown plate from cont-act with said upper plate and for raising thepin-bearing plate to a higher position to eject the closed capsules formthe double plate assembly and means for sweeping said closed capsulesfrom the surface of the upper plate of double plate assembly into asuitable receptacle.

4. An apparatus for filling capsules which comprises a double plateassembly having holes therein suitable for receiving and retainingcapsules, a first platform having suitably positioned thereon a meansfor inserting capsules into the holes in said double plate assembly andmeans for driving said capsule inserting mechanism and a vacuum meansfor separating the capsule bodies from the capsule caps while thecapsules are positioned in said double plate assembly, a secondplatform, disposed in parallel alignment to said first platform, saidfirst platform and said second platform being connected at one end by atransfer bridge and at the other by a third platform having meanspositioned thereon for the reassembly of said capsules, said secondplatform having means thereon for filling capsule bodies with powder andmeans for driving said filling mechanism, said transfer bridge and saidthird platform being connected by a roller-type conveyor which ispositioned between, and elevated above, said first and second platform,said roller conveyor inclining slightly at a downward angle toward saidthird platform so as to permit the upper plates of double plateassemblies to move by gravity from the transfer bridge to a locationadjacent to and slightly above said third platform, the double plateassembly of said apparatus, consisting of two substantially rectangularshaped plate-s, one of which is detachably mounted on top of the other,each of the plates in said double plate assembly having an identicalpattern of holes therein for the reception of capsules, said plateshaving means to insure that, When the upper plate is positioned on topof the lower plate, the holes in one plate are aligned with the holes inthe other, said capsule inserting means on said first platform beingsuch as to insert capsules in said double plate assembly,- row by row,said first platform having suitably positioned thereon rotatable plategears protruding the surface of said platform which engage a rack setinto the bottom surface of each lower plate and means for driving saidplate gears to produce intermittent forward motion of a plurality ofdouble plate assemblies along said first platform through said capasuleinserting means and over said vacuum means, said first platformcontaining also means for stopping the feed of capsules from the capsuleinserting means when the junction line of adjacent double plateassemblies is positioned beneath the capsule inserting means and meansfor reinstituting capsule feed when the first row of holes in the nextsucceeding double plate assembly is in position to receive capsules,said first platform having also means, suitably positioned near the endthereof, for stopping the feed of capsules from the capsule insertingmeans when the first in the line double plate assembly reaches and, bycontact therewith, activates such means, and means for rein-stitutingthe feed of capsules when the first in line double plate assembly isremoved from contact With said stopping means, said second platformhaving positioned thereon rotatable plate gears protruding the surfaceof said platform which engage a rack set into the bottom surface of eachlower plate and means for driving said plate gears to produceintermittent forward motion of a plurality of lower plates along saidsecond platform and through said powder depositing means, means suitablypositioned near the end of said second platform both for stopping themovement of said lower plates along said second platform when the platefirst in line reaches and, by contact therewith, activates such meansand for stopping the feed of powder when plate movement .ceases, meansfor reinstituting the feed of powder to said plates and forrein-stituting the movement of said plates along said second platformwhen the plate first in line is removed from contact with said stoppingmeans, said third platform having means for reassemblin g said capsulesWhile positioned in said double plate assembly and for ejecting sametro-m said double plate assembly, said reassembling and ejecting meanscomprising a moveable plate bearing pins in a pattern corresponding tothe pattern of holes in the double plate assembly, a hold down plate forpositioning on the upper surface of the upper plate of the double plateassembly, means for raising said pin-bearing plate to close saidcapsules by forcing same against the hold down plate, means for removingthe hold down plate from contact with said upper plate and for raisingsaid pins to a higher position to eject the closed capsules from thedouble plate assembly and means for sweeping said closed capsules fromthe surf-ace of the upper plate of the double plate assembly into asuitable receptacle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,936 8/1931\Vilkie et a l. 53-28l X 2,630,953 3/1953 Kath 53281 3,078,629 2/ 1963Besemcr et al 53-282 X TRAVIS H. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR FILLING CAPSULES COMPRISING A DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY,SAID ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF TWO SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPED PLATES,ONE OF WHICH IS DETACHABLY MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE OTHER, EACH OF THEPLATES IN SAID DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN IDENTICAL PATTERN OFHOLES THEREIN FOR THE RECEPTION OF CAPSULES, SAID PLATES HAVING MEANS TOINSURE THAT, WHEN THE UPPER PLATE IS POSITIONED ON TOP OF THE LOWERPLATE, THE HOLES IN ONE PLATE ARE ALIGNED WITH THE HOLES IN THE OTHER,MEANS, SUITABLY POSITIONED ON A PLATFORM THEREFOR, FOR INSERTINGCAPSULES, ROW BY ROW, INTO THE HOLES IN SAID DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY,ROTATABLE PLATE GEARS SUITABLY POSITIONED ON, AND PROTRUDING THROUGH THESURFACE OF, SAID PLATEFORM WHICH ENGAGE WITH A RACK SET INTO BOTTOMSURFACE OF SAID LOWER PLATES, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID PLATE GEARS SOAS TO PRODUCE INTERMITTENT FORWARD MOTION OF A PLURALITY OF DOUBLE PLATEASSEMBLIES ALONG SAID PLATFORM AND THROUGH SAID CAPSULE INSERTING MEANS,A VACUUM MEANS FOR SEPARATING THE CAPSULE BODIES FROM THE CAPSULE CAPSAS EACH DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY IS MOVED ALONG SAID PLATFORM WHEREBY THESAID CAPSULE BODIES ARE RETAINED IN SAID LOWER PLATE AND SAID CAPSULECAPS ARE RETAINED IN SAID UPPER PLATE, MEANS SUITABLY POSITIONED ON APLATFORM THEREFOR, FOR DEPOSITING POWDER ONTO A DETACHED LOWER PLATE TOFILL THE CAPSULE BODIES POSITIONED THEREIN, ROTATABLE PLATE GEARSSUITABLY POSITIONED ON, AND PROTRUDING THROUGH THE SURFACE OF, SAIDSECOND PLATFORM WHICH ENGAGE WITH A RACK SET INTO THE BOTTOM SURFACE OFSAID LOWER PLATES, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID PLATE GEARS SO AS TOPRODUCE INTERMITTENT FORWARD MOTION OF A PLURALITY OF LOWER PLATES ALONGSAID PLATFORM AND THROUGH SAID POWDER DEPOSITING MEANS, MEANS FORREASSEMBLING SAID CAPSULES IN SAID DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY WHILE THECAPSULE BODIES ARE POSITIONED IN THE UPPER PLATE AND TE CAPSULE BODIESARE POSITIONED IN THE LOWER PLATE, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A MOVEABLEPLATE, BEARING PINS IN A PATTERN CORRESPONDING TO THE PATTERN OF HOLESIN THE DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY, A HOLD-DOWN PLATE FOR POSITIONING ON THEUPPER SURFACE OF THE UPPER PLATE OF THE DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY AND MEANSFOR RAISING SAID MOVEABLE PLATE TO CLOSE SAID CAPSULES BY FORCING SAMEAGAINST THE HOLD DOWN PLATE AND MEANS FOR EJECTING THE CLOSED CAPSULESFROM THE DOUBLE PLATE ASSEMBLY.